Islamic art is on the block in a series of London auctions this week. Among the highlights, Christie's is offering a circa-1400 Crusader sword with an estimate of £150,000-£200,000.

FT writer Georgina Adam also notes that the financial troubles of CNET founder Halsey Minor has pushed to market some of his art collection, including Marc Newson’s iconic “Lockheed Lounge” (est $1m-$1.5m) and Richard Prince’s “Nurse in Hollywood#4” (2004, est $5m- $7m). Phillips de Pury offered the consignor 108 per cent of the hammer price and will auction the works this May and June in New York.